Orangespot surgeonfish (Acanthurus olivaceus)

Scientific name: Acanthurus olivaceus Bloch & Schneider, 1801

The Orangespot surgeonfish (Acanthurus olivaceus) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F).

Orangespot surgeonfish care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 22 - 24. Body of adult dark grayish brown; juveniles yellow; posterior to upper end of gill opening is a bright orange horizontal band, with purplish black border. Head and anterior half of body usually abruptly paler than the posterior half. Anterior gill rakers 24-28; posterior 23-27. Large adult males (about 17 cm) with more definite convexity of snout profile.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthurus olivaceus
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 35.0
Depth range: 3–46 m (10–151 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 46 m, usually 9 - 46 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island and Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands, north to Japan, south to Lord Howe Island. Replaced by Acanthurus tennenti in the Indian Ocean.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)